Chapter 183: The Beauty Who Brings Trouble
"I refuse," Lan Chang'an stated firmly.
He didn't know where Jiang Yechen's confidence came from, but that didn't hinder his decision.
"If Fellow Daoist Jiang thinks I'm easy to bully, you can certainly try."
Jiang Yechen wasn't someone with a mild temperament, and Lan Chang'an was already prepared to fight if necessary.
There was no need to use excessive means. With the Earth Burrowing Rat as the main force and the support of his puppets, he could deal with this person.
A flash of surprise crossed Jiang Yechen's eyes. He hadn't expected Lan Chang'an to be so resolute, refusing to give face to a late-stage Foundation Establishment great cultivator like himself.
"Fellow Daoist Lan misunderstood! Years ago, Wuqi Mountain saved Bixin's life; how could I possibly use force against you?"
Jiang Yechen's expression softened, his refined and deep features giving way to a confident smile.
Lan Chang'an remained noncommittal, letting out a cold snort as he condensed light beneath his feet, bypassing Jiang Yechen.
Jiang Yechen didn't stop him. As he watched Lan Chang'an's retreating figure, he sent a voice transmission:
"I've heard that Fairy Shi suffered a sea of consciousness injury in her early years, leading to memory loss. Coincidentally, I possess a unique method that might help her recover those memories."
"A method to restore memories?"
Lan Chang'an's heart stirred.
As early as when Jiang Yechen first came to Wuqi Mountain to compete for the peak master position, Lan Chang'an had noticed that this person was extraordinary.
On Jiang Yechen's body, there was a soul dao artifact, likely geared towards support and defense.
It was said that direct disciples of major sects often carried soul-type treasures on their bodies to protect them.
Ordinary soul artifacts were rare, but not necessarily considered great fortunes. However, if it could assist in restoring memory to the sea of consciousness, its value was far from ordinary.
"Fellow Daoist Jiang might assume a deep relationship between me and Fairy Shi, the truth is that we are not Dao companions, so I can't make decisions on her behalf." Lan Chang'an paused, his tone becoming slightly more moderate.
Jiang Yechen probably thought his relationship with Fairy Shi was profound, which gave him such confidence.
In reality, Lan Chang'an and Fairy Shi had a more personal connection, one that didn't interfere with each other's cultivation paths.
This kind of relationship allowed both to remain free and unrestrained.
"Oh? Then could Fellow Daoist Lan help convey this to Fairy Shi?" Jiang Yechen asked thoughtfully.
"That won't be an issue."
Lan Chang'an nodded, bidding Jiang Yechen farewell without any conflict.
"Lan Chang'an, despite his average qualifications, has steadily advanced to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage over more than a century, all while remaining undisturbed by the world. He is not to be underestimated."
Jiang Yechen murmured to himself as he watched the departing figure clad in white.
...
The next evening.
In the cave-dwelling on Xiao Pan Peak of Wuqi Mountain.
The bath was filled with rising steam.
Lan Chang'an embraced Fairy Shi from behind. His eyes fell on her jade-like, smooth back, adorned by beautifully curved lines, and the waterfall of black hair that obscured half of her dignified, rosy face.
"Yesterday, after meeting with Song Wenshu, I encountered Jiang Yechen..."
After the rain of passion had passed, Lan Chang'an helped Fairy Shi up, gently resting his head against her cheek, and whispered softly into her ear.
"Miss Shen is engaged to Song Wenshu?"
"Restore my memories? Jiang Yechen has such a method? Is it reliable?"
Fairy Shi turned her body slightly, her water-laden eyes showing a hint of surprise.
After changing into her dress, Lan Chang'an shared more details with her, including his own speculations.
"Miss Shen and Jiang Yechen are truly in love. However, as a daughter of a prominent merchant family, she has little say in her marriage." Shi Manrong sighed.
A few days later.
Jiang Yechen visited Wuqi Mountain for a private discussion with Shi Manrong.
Lan Chang'an had no desire to get involved and declined Fairy Shi's invitation to join them.
Half an hour later, Jiang Yechen left with a blank expression.
Shi Manrong took the initiative to approach Lan Chang'an and recounted the contents of the conversation.
"Jiang Yechen said that restoring my memory would deplete the spiritual essence of the treasure in his possession, something that can't be measured in spirit stones. If I could help him meet with Shen Bixin, he wouldn't charge me anything.
"Even if the matchmaking doesn't work out, he would still be willing to help, but I'd need to offer additional compensation.
"Moreover, for the memory restoration, I'd need to partially open my sea of consciousness to Jiang Yechen."
Shi Manrong expressed her concerns.
Lan Chang'an understood that Shi Manrong didn't fully trust Jiang Yechen.
Just based on the fact that this person had killed his adoptive mother and ruined his own father's cultivation when he was young, he was by no means a benevolent person.
To open one's sea of consciousness and allow another to conduct restoration was a risky venture.
It wasn't just Jiang Yechen, even Lan Chang'an, who shared the same bed as Shi Manrong, couldn't be trusted completely in such a situation.
"If I can't recover my memories, I'll be missing crucial information about that ancient ruin." Shi Manrong frowned, troubled.
"If we can make Jiang Yechen owe a promise, there's no rush to use it right away. Manrong, you've just entered the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, and I have yet to advance to the late Foundation Establishment stage yet." Lan Chang'an responded calmly.
"Chang'an, it's still you who has a composed mind."
Shi Manrong smiled warmly, deciding to follow Lan Chang'an's advice.
Little did she know that Lan Chang'an had already acquired a Crystal Condensation Pill and spiritual items for Core Formation, giving him confidence in achieving True Dan.
The opportunities within the ancient ruin were indeed tempting, allowing Lan Chang'an to achieve a higher quality of core and obtain an excellent lifebound treasure.
However, the risks associated with this opportunity made it not absolutely necessary.
Shi Manrong continued, "If the time comes when I do need to restore my memories, I hope you will be there to assist in protecting me."
"Oh? You trust me that much? Not afraid that I'll team up with Jiang Yichen and sell you out?" Lan Chang'an teased.
"I trust you." Shi Manrong smiled charmingly, exuding a captivating allure.
"Besides, in this vast cultivation world, there's no one with whom I share a deeper bond than you."
...
The next day, Shi Manrong left Wuqi Mountain.
Lan Chang'an guessed that she had likely gone to seek out Shen Bixin at Jiang Yechen's request to help build a bridge between them.
Shi Manrong had a personal connection with Shen Bixin and also had some business dealings with her merchant association.
A month later.
Shi Manrong returned to Wuqi Mountain, her expression calm, revealing nothing about whether she had succeeded or not.
Not long after her return, a man and a woman, both late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, visited Wuqi Mountain together.
The female cultivator was dressed in a green gauze dress, with a delicate face and beautiful eyebrows, a sight to behold. However, there was a slight weariness in her features.
The male cultivator accompanying her was not Jiang Yechen, but a refined man in a green robe.
"Fellow Daoist Song."
"Miss Shen."
The three peak masters of Wuqi Mountain came out to greet them.
Ye Fei was momentarily lost as he gazed at the graceful and tranquil figure walking side by side with Song Wenshu.
"Fellow Daoist Song and Miss Shen have fallen for each other and are now engaged. Miss Shen has ties to Wuqi Mountain, so we thought it appropriate to visit and catch up with our three Daoist friends."
Song Wenshu beamed, looking genuinely happy as he put his arm around Shen Bixin's slender waist.
Shen Bixin's body stiffened slightly, but she did not resist. She turned to Lan Chang'an and the other two with a polite smile and bowed gracefully.
The group then settled in the cave dwelling on Xiao Pan Peak.
"Fairy Shi, Fellow Daoist Lan, don't believe the rumors outside. Miss Shen's presence here as my fiancée should dispel any slander." During the conversation, Song Wenshu casually mentioned this.
Lan Chang'an exchanged a glance with Shi Manrong.
Song Wenshu's words carried two meanings.
First, to clear his name.
Second, to subtly warn Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong not to help Jiang Yechen in sabotaging his marriage to Shen Bixin.
"Hehe, the two of you make a fine couple, worthy of celebration. When do you plan to hold the wedding? Please let us know so we can attend." Lan Chang'an congratulated them in advance.
He had no intention of getting involved in the matters between Song Wenshu, Jiang Yechen, and Shen Bixin.
However, it was likely that Song Wenshu already knew that Shi Manrong helped Jiang Yechen.
"Perhaps in the next few years. When the time comes, I'll send invitations to the three of you." Song Wenshu replied.
Shen Bixin remained silent.
When she heard Lan Chang'an's congratulations, her calm eyes lingered on the face of this turtle talisman master for a moment.
Lan Chang'an met her gaze with a serene expression.
Over the years, Lan Chang'an and Shen Bixin had maintained some connection, but it was not deep, limited mostly to business dealings.
Their only real close contact was still when Shen Bixin, gravely injured, had come to Wuqi Mountain, and Lan Chang'an had assisted Ye Fei in treating her.
...
Song Wenshu and Shen Bixin stayed for about an hour before leaving together, seemingly a well-matched couple.
In reality, considering Shen Bixin's background, it was more or less a step up for her.
Ye Fei watched the departing figure of Shen Bixin, feeling a tinge of melancholy.
Lan Chang'an could tell that Ye Fei had some feelings for Shen Bixin.
In the past, whenever Shen Bixin visited Wuqi Mountain, Ye Fei had always warmly welcomed and seen her off.
In terms of appearance, Shen Bixin was more beautiful than Shi Manrong, with an outstanding temperament. Moreover, she was a "rich woman", which added to her charm.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have attracted Jiang Yechen, Song Wenshu, and Ye Fei, three great Foundation Establishment male cultivators.
"Beauty is indeed the bearer of trouble..."
Lan Chang'an mused to himself, having no interest in getting involved with such entangled, stunning female cultivators, especially when it came with so much responsibility.
He had a feeling that even if Song Wenshu managed to outmaneuver Jiang Yechen and marry Shen Bixin, the matter might not be fully resolved.
"Hmm? This spiritual sense... at least from a Fake-Dan Immortal..." Suddenly, Lan Chang'an noticed something.
A moment ago, the spiritual sense of a Fake-Dan Immortal had discreetly swept past the edge of Wuqi Mountain.
The owner of that spiritual sense had no interest in Lan Chang'an and hadn't lingered on him, which is why he hadn't noticed it immediately.
...
"That brat, Jiang Yechen, is sensible enough to know to tuck his tail between his legs."
In the forest outside Wuqi Mountain, a thin man wearing a straw hat squinted his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them.
Swish!
The Fake-Dan cultivator's figure blurred and vanished from the forest, silently trailing after Song Wenshu and Shen Bixin.
If Jiang Yechen had dared to make a move against Song Wenshu, it would have meant certain death.
This was Song Wenshu's hidden purpose for visiting Wuqi Mountain this time.
...
(End of chapter)